Dr. Khalid Al Zedjali - An Omani Film Pioneer

By Deeba Hasan

Dr. Khalid Al Zedjali, writer and director of Oman’s first feature film, wants to share his knowledge and skills and inspire students at Bayan College College. Al Zedjali is the assistant director at Oman TV and Film Institute, the main man behind Al Boom, a film released in 2006, and a part-time lecturer at Bayan College.

The down-to-earth Dr. Al Zedjali has used his experience to show the way to many aspiring Omani movie makers and he said he hopes that they will use their talents to the fullest. His said teaching at Bayan College is a new hobby for him and one that might help the film industry.

“I felt that maybe I could do something for the community, to transfer my experience to the new generation,” he said.

From a young age, Dr. Al Zedjali watched a lot of movies, most of them being from Bollywood, which he said people preferred watching for their songs, actors and because they could relate more to the Indian movies because of the language.

Dr. Al Zedjali’s interest in movies developed into a strong passion and he studied film studies abroad to help him understand the film world closely. While in school, Dr. Al Zedjali grew very active in theatre and participated in several plays. He acted on TV, but knew it wasn’t for him. He had a different talent to show to the world, one that took him behind the camera.

He made several TV series for Oman, Kuwait and Egypt, and in 2005 started working on Al Boom. Making a feature film in Oman was not an easy task. Dr. Al Zedjali put in a lot of work for his film and even though he had the idea in mind for a long time, it took awhile to take shape. At that time it was hard to even imagine but he was strongly determined. He wanted to make a mark of his talent and personality in the country.

“It is a story about a fishing village and is about the modern times, not the old days. The people of the village are very innocent, not knowing a lot about the outside world, so when foreign companies bid to take their seaside village to turn it into palatial residential complexes and hotels, they are not aware,” Dr. Al Zedjali said about Al Boom. He said the movie has both funny and sad moments and it is accompanied by purely Omani music. Its message is to tell people not to be greedy and create awareness of the dangers of losing resource-rich lands to foreign occupancy.

“Evacuating people from their own lands where they were born, lived, where they have their memories attached in exchange for some money is not a fair deal,” Dr. Al Zedjali said.

Dr. Al Zedjali also organizes the Muscat Film Festival once every two years and brings celebrities from both Hollywood and Bollywood to add to the glamour to Muscat’s Film scene. For recognizing the local talent, he organizes the Oman Film Meet which is also held every two years. The film scene in Oman is going well, he said. He advises young filmmakers to think of good ideas which have an effect on the society; because he says great ideas make a great film.

“Anyone can do it, even if you face difficulties but you have to think the idea that you are trying to make,” he said.

Open Day 2011 (Bayan College, Muscat)

Three Bayan students to study in USA this summer

By Bayan Post Staff

Three Bayan College students will be spending part of their summer studying new media and leadership in the USA.

Salwa Sulaiman Al Balushi, Umaima Salim Al Hosni and Kifah Farid Al Shuhaibi were selected by the Embassy of the United States of America to attend the six-week Study of the US Institute for Student Leaders on New Media Program, which is sponsored by the US State Department. The students will study at Washington State University from June 17 - July 23.

“Going to America is like a dream come true,” said Al Shuhaibi, a student in Public Relations. “I hope to learn everything about new media and hopefully when I come back I can share everything I learned.”

The program will teach the students about the USA, give them leadership skills, and they will study major topics in journalism, such as new forms of media like blogging, social networking and digital journalism. The students will also receive hands-on experience in researching, writing, editing and reporting for digital media.

In addition to their classes and training, the participants will visit local sites and do some volunteer work. The program will conclude with a three-day program in Washington DC, the American capital.

Response from the administration and faculty at Bayan College has been very positive. Dean Jassim Jaber, the Heads of Departments and instructors all say the students will benefit greatly from the program.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our students. Studying abroad will open their eyes to different cultures and methods of learning. I’m sure the students will return with experience that enrich their education and aid them in their future careers,” said Ms. Sarah MacDonald, media studies lecturer at Bayan College and the supervisor for the students.

The students were thrilled when they received the news.

“I was so excited! I will learn new things that I haven’t studied here. I will get to know international people,” said Al Hosni, whose major is Advertising.

The US Embassy is optimistic about the opportunity, too, and hopes to have further relations with Bayan College.

“Congratulations to you and your students. I look forward to our continued efforts to expand the areas of cooperation between the US Embassy and Bayan College,” said Daniel Pattarini, acting public affairs officer.

A Bayan Student Abroad

By Ali Al Rawahi

The news came on a hot summer’s day like cool rain on my heart. I packed for a journey to discover a new world. I geared up my mind for an experience which I would cherish for a life time. I have always had the desire to study in the United States. Participating in a program sponsored by the American government filled me with honor and responsibility to represent my country.

The sixteen hours flight didn’t curb the enthusiasm. The anticipation grew by the hour. I set foot on American soil for the first time on Aug. 13, 2010. Everything looked bigger; it had seemed so tiny from the airplane window. Washington D. C. was indeed the right preparatory stop for life in America. The program coordinators from the Department of State and the American Councils gave the 88 participants from 19 countries a thorough orientation about studying and living in America. They also organized daily activities to visit monuments and museums in Washington D. C.

Then the participants were scattered across the USA with five students to a university. It took us 30 minutes to fly from Washington D.C. to New Jersey, where Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, my university, is located. It is the largest private university in New Jersey. The campus is by Teaneck River, surrounded by trees and nature. It has a big library for general purposes and a small one for business.

There are many clubs, organisations, and groups in the university and I am a member of two of them. The first one is called ‘Sands of times’ a cultural group which has organised outstanding events such as a visit to the New York Botanical Garden, attending a classical music concert, and soon to come a visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and a play called ‘A Body of Water’. I am also a member of a group that organises cultural events but is mainly responsible for issuing a literary magazine every semester called ‘Knightscapers’.

In addition, the university sponsors a number of activities and events that are open to all students. For example, I have participated in a trip to the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, Central Park, thematic restaurants such as the Medieval Times and many more.

To appreciate such an opportunity you have to be open to all that is new and unfamiliar. The cultural experience is far better that any academic one. Getting involved in the community is the key to expanding one’s experience. Despite the homesickness and nostalgia, I know deep in my heart that I’ll benefit later.